Sen. Rick Scott: National Defense Bill Includes Big Wins for Florida, U.S. National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and ranking member of the SASC Personnel Subcommittee, released the following statement after Congress voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Importantly, the FY2025 NDAA includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members, a 4.5 percent raise for all other service members, and big wins for Florida's military and America's national security that Senator Scott fought to secure as a member of SASC this year.

Senator Rick Scott said, "Each year, I have fought to include big wins for Florida and U.S. national security in the NDAA, and this year's bill is a massive accomplishment that reflects the priorities of Florida families. As ranking member of the Subcommittee for Personnel, I am proud of the bipartisan work we accomplished in SASC to ensure our men and women in uniform are taken care of, and our military remains the most lethal force in the world. Our service members deserve to make a wage that reflects the sacrifice they make-and I am proud that we secured a much-needed 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent increase for other members in this year's NDAA. Additionally, we know how important it is to our military families with children to have access to quality childcare-especially our dual-military families. Expanding childcare access for military families has been a priority for me in the NDAA for several years, and I am excited to share that this year's NDAA includes $4.1 million for the design of a Child Development Center at Naval Air Station Whiting Field and $6.9 million for the design of a Child Development Center Naval Air Station Jacksonville to increase access to childcare for military families throughout North Florida.

"Along with these personnel wins, we secured big wins for national security. Florida is uniquely positioned 90 miles off the coast of Cuba, and with our adversaries, like Russia, China and Iran, threatening the waters of our coasts, I fought to ensure that Homestead Air Reserve Base in Key West will continue to serve a critical mission through at least 2028. This is a massive win for Florida and ensures that a key base continues to be our eyes and ears into Latin America. I am also proud to have personally fought for and secured big wins to cut U.S. dependence on Communist China. Drones made in Communist China pose a significant threat to our freedoms and security and cannot be allowed to continue operating in our airspace for the sake of public safety and national security. Companies based in Communist China are at the will of Xi's evil regime, meaning one of the United States' greatest adversaries has total access to every bit of data collected by devices. It should terrify every single American that the Chinese Communist Party, known for spying, stealing and espionage, could have access to our intelligence and then use it against us. A negotiated version of my bill, the Countering CCP Drones Act, was included in this defense package and is a step in the right direction. Additionally, this year's NDAA contains key provisions I fought for including a ban on the purchase of manned and unmanned Chinese-made LiDAR systems and the elimination of disgusting Chinese Sewage Garlic in our on-base commissaries.

"The United States is at a critical moment where military strength is essential to preserving our national security and fending off the threats of tyranny and terrorism that are rising around the globe. This NDAA reflects what must be done to combat the threats posed by our enemies in Communist China, Iran and Russia, protect our allies and partners in Israel, the Philippines and across Europe, and protect and grow our military strength in Florida where we have massive defense assets that are critical to our national security. I would like to thank Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Wicker, and all of my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee for their leadership on these important issues. I am proud of the work we have done and look forward to seeing this good bill signed into law."

Additionally, Senator Scott fought for and secured several measures, including:

• Authorization for funding to support a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members (E1-E4) and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other military members.
• Banning the sale of garlic grown in Communist China in Defense Commissary stores to ensure U.S. service members and families aren't subject to unnecessary risks. Chinese-grown garlic is widely reported to be grown in human sewage, then bleached and harvested in abhorrent conditions, often with slave labor.
• Preventing the DoD from procuring LiDAR technology for manned or unmanned systems from companies based in Communist China, a known U.S. adversary, unless granted explicit Congressional approval. It also supports research and development efforts to enhance the United States' commercial space-based LiDAR capabilities.
• A report on the operational value of the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar given the concerning relationship the Government of Qatar has with Hamas and other terrorist organizations, as well as its continuing hostility to the State of Israel and other U.S. interests.
• Authorizes $47.5 million for continued U.S.-Israel collaborative research on emerging technologies and adds $30 million for U.S.-Israel anti-tunneling program.
• $4.1 million for the design of a Child Development Center at Naval Air Station Whiting Field and $6.9 million for the design of a Child Development Center at Naval Air Station Jacksonville to increase access to childcare for military families.
• Extending the joint use prohibition at Homestead Air Reserve Base to 2028 to protect the military mission as threats to U.S. national security rise in Latin America.
• Requiring a briefing to the Armed Services Committee on the readiness of Hurricane Hunter aircraft prior to the start of hurricane season to avoid issues like what occurred prior to Hurricane Idalia when the planes were grounded.
• Requires DOD to develop a plan to secure their pharmaceutical supply chain by promoting domestically sourced drugs and not use Chinese ingredients or key starting materials.
• Ends China's monopoly over the drone market by changing U.S. standards and initiating an off-ramp to eliminate America's reliance on CCP drones.

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